Cri du chat
Cri du chat syndrome, also known as chromosome 5p deletion syndrome, 5p− (said minus) syndrome or Lejeune’s syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder due to a missing part (deletion) of chromosome 5. Its name is a French term (cat-cry or call of the cat) referring to the characteristic cat-like cry of affected children. It was first described by Jérôme Lejeune in 1963. The condition affects an estimated 1 in 50,000 live births, strikes all ethnicities, and is more common in females by a 4:3 ratio.
Signs and symptoms
The syndrome gets its name from the characteristic cry of affected infants, which is similar to that of a meowing kitten, due to problems with the larynx and nervous system. About 1/3 of children lose the cry by age 2. Other symptoms of cri du chat syndrome may include:
feeding problems because of difficulty swallowing and sucking;
low birth weight and poor growth;
severe cognitive, speech, and motor delays;
behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, aggression, tantrums, and repetitive movements;